Tams scuttle Falcons, move a win away from 1st-round sweep

The reigning two-time defending champion Ateneo Eagles tried, but failed. The Green Archers of La Salle pushed them to the limit, but fell short. Now, the up-and-coming Adamson Falcons brought their A-game, but to no avail. The Far Eastern University Tamaraws have one simple message for the rest of the combatants in the country’s most prestigious collegiate league – bring it on. The Tamaraws continued their onslaught in the tournament by adding the Falcons to their growing list of victims, 74-65, Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Tamaraws drew big games from their starting unit and a little bit of everything from their reserves to put away the Falcons. FEU needs to beat University of Santo Tomas on Saturday to become the first team in three years to complete a sweep of the first round. University of the East, last season’s runner-up, was the last team to complete a sweep after winning all its 14 elimination matches all the way to reaching the championship round. The Red Warriors, though, lost to La Salle in the finals. "I'm happy. I'm proud of the guys because they’re doing a good job offensively and defensively," said coach Glenn Capacio, whose squad beat the Falcons for the 16th straight time since 2002. The last time the Falcons won over the Tamaraws was on July 28, 2002 -- a 76-49 rout. RR Garcia pierced the pesky Falcons' defense and came through with 16 points, two rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes while Smart Gilas-RP developmental team standout Aldrech Ramos contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Also finishing in double figures is Cameroonian big man Pipo Noundou (11 points and 10 rebounds) and veteran guard Jens Knuttel (10 points, four rebounds and three assists). The Tamaraws only led 32-30 with four minutes left in the second period, but went on a 10-2 tear, capped by consecutive lay-ups by Reil Cervantes and Garcia, to take a comfortable 42-32 lead at the half. From there, FEU quelled Adamson’s bid of a rally. The Tamaraws shot a steady 57.4 percent shooting, the second-highest since 2003. They built a 66-51 lead on a jumper by Ramos with 6:55 left in the game. "This is our best offensive showing this season, but we need to be consistent defensively because we expect the games to be tighter in the second round," said Capacio. Alex Nuyles scored 23 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals for Adamson, which fell into a tie with Ateneo for third to fourth places at three wins and two losses. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

FEU 74 - Garcia 16, Ramos 13, Noundou 11, Knuttel 10, Exciminiano 8, Cervantes 6, Cawaling 5, Romeo 3, Cruz 2, Mendoza 0, Bringas 0, Sanga 0. Adamson 65 - Nuyles 23, Canada 11, Camson 8, Alvarez 7, Colina 4, Cabrera 4, Stinnett 2, Manyara 2, Lozada 2, Basillio 2, Etrone 0, Galinato 0. Quarter scores: 24-18; 42-32; 58-49; 74-65.